Basically you want to close all non-vital programs before you start the defrag process. What happens is some of those programs that are running in the background keep defrag from working because they are constantly changing data. What I would do is c-a-d and close most programs. (Shoot, I wish I could remember exactly which ones you dont want to close. I really think it is systray and windows.) And then start defrag. You might try turning off your screensaver while you are trying to do this also.
Good luck to you Adie! I hope this helps.